Dear colleagues,
First of all, I would like to thank you for an opportunity to speak here today on the topic of economic integration. I believe that this topic is extremely important. Very soon, we will summarize the results of the first year of joint work in a new format.

The Customs Union of the three states – Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia – evolves and acquires a clear shape. The Common Economic Space is now really uniting enterprises and industries in various areas, and brings together the peoples who were locked in their national flats 20 years ago. Figuratively, this important process can be compared with how one makes door openings that are needed so much to enable communication. The ties between neighbours and states move to a totally new level of quality.

The law making activity in the Common Economic Space member-states is carried out in line with the schedule. According to Nurlan Aldabergenov, the Member of the Board (Minister) for Competition and Antitrust Regulation of the Eurasian Economic Commission, harmonizing legislation and increasing competitiveness of domestic manufacturers and service providers will be the top-priority goals.

Beginning with February, the supranational body of the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) became operational, being the only regulatory body of the Customs Union and Common Economic Area embracing the Republic of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russian Federation.

Active preparation has been launched to join the Customs Union. If Kirghizia's government moves from words to deeds concerning their accession to the Customs Union, the preparatory works may be finished by mid-2013. This is the opinion of Timur Suleymenov, EEC Collegium Member (Minister) of Economy and Financial Policy.

Timur Suleymenov, EEC Collegium Member, Minister of Economy and Financial Policy, spoke with the Къ commission about the principles of economic and budget policy, common currency project and performance of the Eurasian Economic Commission.

The Eurasian Economic Commission projects that in the near term at least 30% of freight traffic across the EEA will become subject to automatic clearance. Experts in customs regulation gave a notice of old: hardly 10% out of the total freight traffic crossing the borders is troublesome.

This week Russia has officially become a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO). Our country has been pursuing this goal for about twenty years amidst continuing criticism. Anastasia Dulenkova, a correspondent of the Izvestia newspaper shared with Mr. Slepnev complaints of national businesses and listened to his comments.